Ty Segall + La Luz + The Nymphets @ Club Soda

Presented by POP Montreal, Blue Skies Turn Black, and CJLO 1690AM

Last Saturday night during POP Montreal, Ty Segall, The Nymphets, and La Luz set out to not only entertain, but also pump up an energetic and sold-out crowd at Club Soda. The night started at 9 PM with a small early-bird crowd as trio The Nymphets showcased their seizure-like dance moves and fast punk rhythms. The band played for only 22 minutes, but the crowd seemed content given their drummer had a tough time keeping up with her tumultuously fast, rock 101 beats. Altogether, The Nymphets were an okay opener for Ty Segall, and definitely had some potential, though some more stage presence (for example, the band enjoying themselves on stage) would have helped their set for the better.

Moving on with the night, by 10 PM, female four-piece La Luz from Seattle won the hearts and set the standard for an almost full crowd at Club Soda. What La Luz did right among many things was have fun on stage. Of course their surf-rock sound was incredibly awesome, and quite unique too. It was their energy, synchronized dance moves, and fun interactions with each other and the audience that made their set so enjoyable. We even got to watch keyboardist and vocalist Alice Sandahl crowd surf near the end of the set. And let's not forget drummer Marian Li Pino, who didn't seem to miss a beat within her surprisingly complex syncopated rhythms. And if that didn't sell you, their four-part harmonies definitely put the icing on the cake. All in all, these girls were a must see at POP with their refreshing take on the surf-rock genre.

As for the highlight of the night, Club Soda could not have been a more perfect venue for Ty Segall. The room size was great for moshers to crowd-surf and bang heads near the stage, but also had a ton of standing space, and a seated balcony perfect for Ty's passive, yet dedicated listeners. Ty began the set with songs off his latest album, Manipulator (Drag City, 2014) and let his fuzz to drone out and included nasty guitar riffs to jolt an energetic, almost aggressive crowd. The moshers went wild, and the rest of the crowd roared unlike any other after hearing tracks from the new album including "Tall Man Skinny Lady", "It's Over", and "The Faker". Halfway through the set, Ty eased his long-time fans by playing songs off his previous, much harder albums like Twins (2012) and Sleeper (2013). In the end, the show was an absolute riot thanks to Ty's incredible energy on stage, especially while watching him crowd-surf in a god-like, standing position near the end of his set.

This show was truly one of the best concerts at POP this year, the sound mix at Club Soda was incredible, and Ty Segall, La Luz, and The Nymphets shook the house and, as each band hoped, left the audience wanting more. Before the show ended, Ty told the audience he'd be back as soon as he could, and knowing how fast he releases albums and side projects, I'd say we're likely to see him again in the next year. 

Sayonara, and remember kids, always wear earplugs!

--Matthew Rogers hosts Exposé every Wednesday at 5 PM on CJLO.